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  • A Pastoral Commentary on the General Instruction of the Roman Missal by Joseph DeGrocco
  • John J. M. Foster
A Pastoral Commentary on the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, by Joseph DeGrocco. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2011. Pp. v-242.

Since the publication of the third typical edition of the Missale Romanum in 2002 and its translation into English, a number of books have been published to assist in the catechetical and liturgical formation of sacred and lay ministers who will pray the texts and observe the discipline found in it. While Monsignor DeGrocco's entry into this arena is not the first one concerning the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), it surely ranks among one of the best. A professor of liturgy and director of liturgical formation at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, New York, DeGrocco breaks open each article of the GIRM and the USCCB's Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds in the Diocese of the United States of America to reveal the theological and liturgical values that underlie these normative documents. Historical developments are skillfully woven together with references to Sacrosanctum Concilium, other ritual books (e.g., the Order of Christian Funerals and Book of Blessings), and prayer texts f rom the Missal itself. With a firm understanding of the disciplinary norms, the author provides, in his words, "a 'compendium of best practices' to help parishes embody the liturgy that is described in print in the GIRM" (viii).

A Pastoral Commentary has much to recommend it. DeGrocco writes in an easy-to-read style, providing plenty of practical examples. Nevertheless, a future revision will want to correct the erroneous statement that "the Deacon, by virtue of Ordination, is an ordinary minister of the Eucharist" (p. 130). Deacons are ordinary ministers of Holy Communion (c. 910 §1); only a validly ordained priest is a minister of the Eucharist (see c. 900 §1). Also, it is unfortunate that the diocesan liturgical commission (required in each diocese by Sacrosanctum Concilium 45-46, is not mentioned in the commentary [End Page 672] on article 22, in which DeGrocco mentions the assistance that the diocesan office for worship can provide to the diocesan bishop in fulfilling his duty to promote the liturgy among the clergy and lay faithful.

DeGrocco's excellent commentary should be required reading for all seminarians and permanent deacons when taking the practicum on liturgical celebration. Seasoned priests and deacons will find in this book a useful review of their ars celebrandi. Indeed, because of the many suggestions made for liturgical formation, the book is a helpful resource to liturgy committees, liturgical ministers, and parish groups interested in learning more about the liturgy. While certainly no substitute for reading the text of the GIRM and USCCB Norms (indeed, the text of the GIRM and Norms are not included in the book), A Pastoral Commentary has much to offer all the Christian faithful.

John J. M. Foster
The Catholic University of America
School of Canon Law
Washington, DC
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